Opinion Survey on the Image of Japan in India

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs commissioned a research company in India
to conduct an opinion survey on the image of Japan from February 4 to 25, 2009.
The following is the summary of survey results.

76% of respondents perceived the current state of Japan-India relations
either as being very friendly or friendly, showing that a positive image
of Japan has been established in India.

Asked about which countries are important partners for India, 48%, 30%,
and 14% of respondents choose the United States, Russia, and Japan, respectively.
92% of survey participants responded positively when asked whether Japan
is a reliable friend of India.

Respondents perceived Japan as a technologically advanced, economically
powerful and peace-loving country, in descending order of the number of
responses, demonstrating that there are strong public images of Japan as
a country with the most advanced science and technology and a peaceful,
developed nation. In terms of the image of the Japanese people, highly ranked
characteristics were: diligent, efficient in management practices, and inventive.

Asked about Japan’s international contributions, 61% of survey participants
responded positively on the questions of whether Japan is playing an international
role commensurate with its economic power. 79% of respondents perceived
Japan’s economic assistance to India as beneficial, and 94% of respondents
welcomed the presence of Japanese companies in India. It thus can be said
that Japan’s international contributions, including economic cooperation
projects, and its business activities in India, are highly regarded among
the Indian people.

More than 60% of respondents expressed interest in learning the Japanese
language and responded affirmatively to the suggestion that more young people
should study in Japan in order to gain a higher education. 78% of respondents
said that they followed Japan-related media reports regularly or occasionally.
Overall, these figures illustrate the Indian opinion leaders’ strong interest
in Japan and the Japanese language.

[Note]

2007 opinion leaders were interviewed on an individual basis in 12 major
cities in India for the opinion survey on Japan. Under the commission by the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the opinion survey on Japan was also conducted
in India in 1986 and 2000.